September 18, 2025 District Newsletter - Fairfield Public Schools

Fairfield Students Explore The Water Cycle With Recreated Groundwater Model

The Mill River Wetland Committee and Fairfield Public Schools unveiled the newly recreated Groundwater Unit model today at Perry’s Mill Ponds as part of the River-Lab curriculum. Stratfield 5th graders in Mrs. Schmidt’s class helped “make it rain,” exploring the water cycle and discovering the important role of natural spaces in the Fairfield community.

Originally built in 2002, the hands-on model allows students to study groundwater, watershed health, and the water cycle. After years of use, it was carefully reproduced thanks to the creativity and skill of Fairfield Warde High School Technology Education Teacher Luke Allen and former students Logan Ficke and Hudson Stocker, ensuring the program will continue to inspire future generations.

FLHS Students Discover New Passions at Activity Fair

FLHS students explored their interests at last week's Activity Fair! From Improv and Shakespeare Club to Robotics, Engineering, Chemistry, ASL, Best Buddies, Mock Trial, Graphic Design, and Key Club, there’s truly something for everyone. The fair gave students a chance to meet club leaders, ask questions, and learn how to get involved.

Every other Wednesday, students participate in Activity Period, a dedicated time to connect, explore new interests, and build leadership skills. Events like the Activity Fair help foster a sense of community, encourage collaboration, and give students opportunities to pursue their passions outside the classroom.

Warde Student Leads Sun Safety Efforts Locally and Abroad

This past summer, Warde student Sophie Meskin traveled to Africa on a Humanitarian Medical Mission focused on preventing sun damage to the eyes. Working alongside doctors and medical professionals from around the world, Sophie conducted Keratometer scans to measure the curvature of the cornea, assisted with cataract screenings, and helped track patient reports. She also visited local orphanages, where she donated sunglasses to children in need.

Back in Fairfield, Sophie continues her commitment to sun safety by creating sunscreen stations at the Easton Aspetuck Land Trust Trail. Her efforts highlight her dedication to raising awareness about skin cancer prevention and the impact of UV exposure.

HOlland Hill Town Hall — *Holland Hill celebrated student success, the many cultures in its community, and social-emotional learning at a recent Town Meeting, ending on a high note with the school song "Nothing More"!*

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 through October 15, celebrating the cultures, traditions, and contributions of Americans, tracing their ancestry to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean. We invite everyone in our school community to join in learning, appreciating, and honoring this important celebration.

Burr Readers — *Burr kindergartners enjoyed exploring the library, selecting books, and discovering new worlds filled with imagination and creativity.*

Registration Office: New Address Reminder

A friendly reminder that the district requires families to notify the Registration Office at 203-255-8242 when there has been an address change.

Visit our website for more information.

Follow FPS On Social Media!

We are proud of our students and staff for their many accomplishments! FPS is now on Instagram! Also, follow FPS on X and Facebook for good news, important announcements, BOE meeting information and more.

Mill Hill Students Shoot For The Stars While Leaving A Lasting Legacy

As they prepared to “fly the nest” and begin their next journey at Roger Ludlowe Middle School, the 2024–25 5th grade class at Mill Hill Elementary left behind a vibrant legacy. Students transformed a plain concrete courtyard into a colorful solar system mural, designed and painted entirely by the class under the guidance of art teacher Heather Nokta.

The courtyard now serves as a space for play, reading, and mindfulness. The second half of the project will be completed by the 2025–26 5th grade class, who will finish the solar system mural before they graduate.

All paint and supplies were generously donated by Ring’s End of Fairfield.

Dot Day At Jennings — *Jennings students and staff celebrated Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration, inspired by Peter Reynolds’ book The Dot.*

New Visitor Check-In System: What Families Need to Know

To continue prioritizing the safety of our students and staff, Fairfield Public Schools is introducing a new version of a visitor management system called the Raptor Safe App.

Check-In Process: All visitors will check in using the newly mounted iPad at the school’s main entrance.
Visitor Badge: Once the process is complete, you will be provided a visitor badge.
Digital Passport: Parents and guardians are encouraged to create a digital “Passport” on their smartphones, which makes the check-in and check-out process quicker and easier. Click here for additional information.

Click here for an FAQ with additional information. Here is a video from the Fairfield School Safety Division outlining what visitors can expect when checking in.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our schools safe.

Pickleball at Woods — *Serving up fun at Fairfield Woods! Ms. McHugh and Mr. Depodesta’s 8th grade PE classes hit the courts for a lively game of pickleball.*

RLMS Science — RLMS Grade 7 scientists got creative in STEM class! Their challenge? Build a safe perch for Harry the Plastic Egg so he could “sit” and see the lesson. From wild designs to egg-cellent engineering, students cracked the code on problem-solving and teamwork!

From Classroom To Course: Paige McKenna Has The Swing To Succeed

Congratulations to Warde High School Senior and Golf Team member Paige McKenna who was selected as one of just eighty students nationwide to participate in the PURE Insurance Golf Championship, held at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.

During the week-long tournament, Paige will connect with peers, PGA TOUR Champion players, and business leaders, gaining valuable insight into the opportunities golf provides both on and off the course. Paige will be paired with golf legend Stuart Appley for mentorship as she competes for the pro-junior title.

Supporting Healthy Tech Habits: Fairfield’s Digital Wellness Movement

The Fairfield PTA’s Digital Wellness Initiative is a volunteer-led group providing parents, students and educators with research-based tools to make healthy decisions about technology.

Each school has ambassadors who share resources, events and research, while also working with educators to support balanced use of technology in classrooms. For more information, contact Tory Donohue.

Nearly 800 Fairfield students have pledged to Wait Until 8th before getting a smartphone. This national movement encourages families to delay smartphones to support healthy development and create a strong community of support.

Fairfield also has an active Ok to Delay chapter, a grassroots movement helping families reclaim play, restore connection and rethink technology. Local events include expert panels, film screenings and fairs. You can sign up for the Fairfield chapter here.

**Kindergarten Under 5 Registration for 2026-27**

If your child will turn five years old between September 2, 2026, and December 31, 2026, they may enter kindergarten via a waiver process. Information on early admissions can be found here under kindergarten 2026-2027. The waiver includes an individual and group assessment of your child. Information on the assessments can be found here.

To request a waiver for a child under 5 to enter kindergarten early for the 2026-27 school year, please follow this process:

Read the introduction letter regarding the kindergarten early entry process.
Complete this form in its entirety, which includes information on domain-specific developmentally appropriate kindergarten skills. You will also be required to choose a date for an individual assessment and confirm your acknowledgement, allowing Fairfield Public Schools to conduct the assessment.
Upon completion of all parts of the process, a member of Fairfield Public School’s team will confirm your assessment date and next steps.

Waiver assessment dates begin in November and go through the spring. Students are allowed one waiver, and the district’s early admissions decision is final. Decisions on admissions are made within two weeks of each assessment’s date.

Children who will be five years old on or by September 1, 2026, will have a typical enrollment process, which begins in January 2026.

If you should have any questions, please contact James Zavodjancik, Chief Academic Officer, at JZavodjancik@fairfieldschools.org or 203-255-8390.

Track Your Student’s Bus in Real Time with the FirstView App

Fairfield Public Schools, in partnership with our transportation provider, First Student, is utilizing FirstView®, a secure mobile app that lets you track your student’s bus in real time.